5 Ways You’re Getting in the Way of Your Own Success (And How to Fix It)

Have you ever caught yourself making excuse after excuse?

It’s the same cycle every time:

You come up with a life-changing idea...
You imagine what it would be like to make it happen...
Then, you build a wall of reasons why it can’t be done.

Sound familiar?

“If I had more time, I’d learn Italian.”
“I’d go to the gym, but I’m just not feeling it today.”
“I’ll start that project my schedule clears up. Life’s just too busy right now.”

You’re not alone. This is something Mel Robbins, a renowned motivational speaker and author, knows all too well.

After her husband’s restaurant business failed, her career took a hit, and their savings ran dry, she felt stuck. Every time she tried to take action, a voice inside her convinced her to stay put.

But here’s the thing—it wasn’t just a lack of willpower holding her back.

The Science Behind Self-Sabotage

Mel’s research uncovered a fascinating truth: your brain is wired to resist change.

Even when you want to improve your life, your mind sees anything unfamiliar as a threat and tries to protect you from it.

That’s why you might feel stuck—not because you’re lazy or incapable, but because your brain is working against you.

The good news? You can break the cycle.

Let’s dive into the 5 biggest ways you might be holding yourself back—and how to overcome them.

1. You’re Running Away From Your Goals

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not breaking their goals down into manageable steps.

They dream big but then talk themselves out of trying because:

“It’s too overwhelming.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to start.”
“It’s impossible.”

But here’s the truth: big goals are just small tasks stacked together.

-Write down your major goals.
-Break them into smaller, bite-sized tasks.
-Take consistent action, one step at a time.

When you shift your focus to daily progress, success becomes inevitable.

2. You Lack a Clear Vision

Some people struggle because they don’t know what they really want.

They drift through life without a clear purpose, convincing themselves:

“Me? Accomplish that? No way.”
“I’d rather not dream too big and risk disappointment.”

But that’s just fear talking. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, start visualizing what could go right.

Try This: Close your eyes and picture your dream life.

• What are you doing?

• Who is with you?

• How does success feel?

By creating a vivid mental image, you bridge the gap between thought and reality.

3. You Don’t Believe in Yourself

Most people wait to believe after they’ve achieved success. But the most successful people in the world? They believe first.

Your mindset shapes your reality.

If you want to break free from self-doubt, start using powerful affirmations:

Instead of: “One day, I’ll be financially free.”
Say: “I am creating financial freedom every day.”

By acting as if your success is already happening, you train your mind to bring that reality to life.

Tip: Spend 5-10 minutes each morning repeating affirmations that reinforce your goals.

4. You Don’t Have a Backup Plan

Even the best plans can take an unexpected turn. What separates successful people from the rest?

They prepare for obstacles ahead of time.
They stay adaptable when things go wrong.

When challenges arise, ask yourself:

“What part of this situation can I use to my advantage?”
“How can I pivot instead of giving up?”

By embracing adversity, you turn setbacks into stepping stones. The more you embrace adversity, the better you can turn it on itself and come out on top.

As the Marines say, “Improvise, adapt and overcome.”

5. You Lack Discipline

Motivational speaker and former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink says:

“Self-discipline will take care of you like nothing else can… it’ll put you on that path to strength, health, intelligence and happiness. And most importantly, it’ll put you on that path to freedom.”

If you want to achieve your goals, self-discipline is key.

To cultivate discipline, it starts by making the decision to stay FOCUSED on your end goals. That’s going to take some sacrifices, such as staying up late, giving up unhealthy habits and resisting the desire to procrastinate.

The moment you get distracted from your goals, you’ll erode your foundation of self-discipline.

Studies show that people who can map out a clear a daily routine are more likely to stick to it. And in effect, that makes them more productive than others.

Like what you did with your goals, write down a schedule you can work with, and do your best to follow it.

FACT: Humans are wired to crave structure and routine.

It's an anchor for our minds, so we don't drift off into a limbo of wasted potential and mediocrity.

And when you get down to it, the reasons you're not making it happen all boil down to one thing.

It’s the voice inside you that says, “Why are you trying to change? Don’t you know how terrifying the great unknown is? Just stay here where it’s safe…”

I’ve dealt with that voice ALL my life, but I’ve found a way to shut it down so it doesn’t get a vote.

Stop waiting for the “perfect moment.”
Stop letting distractions pull you away.
Stop making excuses.

DO THIS INSTEAD:

Set a daily routine and stick to it.
Remove distractions that pull you away from your goals.
Prioritize progress over perfection.

Success isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter and staying consistent.

Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Future

At the end of the day, the biggest roadblock to success isn’t your circumstances—it’s your mindset.

What’s one goal you’ve been putting off?
What small step can you take today to move closer to it?

The moment you stop making excuses and start believing in your potential, everything changes.

It’s time to get out of your own way and start building the life you deserve.

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